Floors?

[LenaGardner]

I need some floor cleaning help, friends! I had a teensy kitchen and bathroom at my last place so it wasn't complicated to sweep and mop...it was easy and I did it often...at my new place, I have ceramic tile in the kitchen, bathroom, dining and entryway and brand new hardwood floor in the hall and living room (the snap together laminate kind, not like original kind). We have carpet in the 3 bedrooms but other than that I have bare floor.

The ceramic tile is white so I've been using pine sol plus some bleach to clean that....but the hardwood is SO out of my area of expertise. I had original hardwood in a previous house but this stuff is weird. I can see every footprint and junk on it, and I know its partly my fault for cleaning it improperly. I put some like...mop and glo or something on it. It was in the cabinet and had a kitchen floor on the picture, I didn't realize what I was doing (dork). Now the hardwood shows every smudge.

I feel like I need to clean it with something that will strip it or something to undo my damage. I tried googling it so as not to have to admit my dumb mistake to ya'll for help....that just came up with renting an industrial floor stripper...I don't think we're that far gone yet...I just used the mop and glo twice.

How do I get this buildup off of there....ammonia? vinegar? baking soda and pickle juice? I'll try anything And then, what do I clean these floors with from now on? THANKS!!!!

[PamS]

I have had laminate for a while. The installer told me to use nothing on it but ammonia and water (a half cup of ammonia to 2 gallons of water) BUT don't use too much liquid when cleaning the floors. I actually keep a spray bottle premixed and just spray it on and wipe it up...that way I am sure there is not too much liquid.

Not sure if this will get rid of the Map & Glo though.


Pam

[LenaGardner]

Pam, thanks for your help. I have spent more time than I'd like to admit researching my flub this afternoon and I keep seeing dish soap/water/ammonia and variations on that theme, it appears there are some differing opinions. I'm so irritated with myself Yesterday I moved my couch and caught sight of what the unwaxed floor looked like underneath the couch and only then realized how messed up I made it!

[KateD]

It probably won't take too long for the mop and glo to wear off with some regular cleaning. It won't look great until then, though

[NeverendingJen]

I'd try the vinegar too, its my go-to cleaner for all flooring.

[PamS]

Jen...I just had a new floor put down in our bathroom and the salesman and the installer both told me not to use vinegar on it...it voids the warrenty! I was REALLY surprised because vinegar is one of my go-to cleaners also. I googled it (because I didn't believe it) and it seems to be true!
http://www.ehow.com/info_7942067_can...od-floors.html.

Pam

[FireWolf]

Try this?
http://www.ehow.com/how_8626501_remo...od-floors.html

[Angie4b1g]

No idea, re: mop and glo, but for general cleaning on my laminate I just used the Swiffer wet cloths. Always seemed to work well.

[Andrea G]

I'm a Swiffer girl - it works like a charm!

[MamaBee]

how about murphy oil soap? I don't have hardwood floors, but this is what I use on all my woodwork and furniture... my mom has also used this for years... http://www.colgate.com/MurphyOilSoap/home

eta... under the problem solver is says...

Wax buildup on improperly cared for floors
Solution: Remove the old wax with Murphy® Oil Soap. Several applications and some elbow-grease may be required. Then make sure that the proper finish is intact, to preserve the life of the wood, and re-wax as appropriate. If in doubt, consult a wood care professional.

[TeriBeary]

Since it's not real hardwood and laminate, you need to be careful about what you put on it. Remember that it's basically sawdust in the middle. I would just use water for a while and see how that goes. I spot clean my laminate with Lysol wipes (I'm sure that is a huge no-no) and just sweep/vacuum it as needed. It seems to do just fine.